Sales of new cars and light trucks in 2007 will roughly equal the 2006 sales mark of 16.5 million, according to an economic forecast by Paul Taylor, chief economist of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA).
Speaking at the association's annual Convention & Exposition in Las Vegas, Taylor reported that a strong U.S. economy and new products on the market, including a wide array of high-quality new fuel-efficient vehicles, will benefit sales throughout the year. ... [full story]

First-Ever Motorcycle Industry Benchmarking Study Identifies Why Customers Stay -- or Walk Away
Harley-Davidson dealerships ranked highest in the newly released 2007 Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index (SM) Motorcycle Industry Study, which measured how shoppers are treated at retail locations. The study is the first of its kind to provide actionable insights on the hot buttons that turn shoppers into buyers.
Harley-Davidson dealerships were consistently near the top of the rankings for multiple aspects of ... [full story]

Although snow may no longer be a hazard on Oregon streets and highways, motorists should be aware of another potential danger—flying gravel. When motorists think of driving safety, they must remember that a vehicle’s windshield is a pivotal safety feature.
"Windshields not only support the roof of your vehicle," says AAA Oregon Approved Auto Repair Coordinator Earl Baker. "They protect motorists from being ejected during head-on collisions, roll-overs and vehicle crashes when combined with the ... [full story]

Innovative new racing series will boast the most technologically advanced racing machines in the world.
The Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation -- which unveiled "The Future of Racing" and the "Hydrogen 500" concept here to an impressive gathering of leading auto industry executives and motorsports dignitaries in early January -- has announced its initial specifications package.
Introduced as a compelling first step into the realm of on-track competition for hydrogen electric fuel cell-powered vehicles, the Hydrogen ... [full story]

Angelguard Prevents Young Children From Accidentally Opening Seat Belt; One in Three Parents Report Children Have Opened Seat Belt Release Without Parent's Knowledge
As National Child Passenger Safety Week begins Feb. 11, an innovative product is being introduced to help parents keep their young children properly secured in car safety seats. The new item, Angelguard, prevents young children from accidentally opening the seat belt release, rendering the car safety seat useless.
Most parents would be ... [full story]

The 2007 G35 is essentially all new — but familiar.
An overnight success when it debuted in 2002, the sport sedan was attractive to younger buyers, was inspiring to drive and had style that appealed to men and women.
Five years later, it's still in the sweet spot.
Infiniti's plan for the G35 was more of a fine tailoring of what was already good.
INFINITI G35 - Infiniti's retooled G35 comes in five variations, with pricing ranges from $32,150 ... [full story]

Electric-car owners such as J.F. Lancelot of San Diego were devastated when auto companies pulled the plug on their battery-powered runabouts a few years ago.
Lancelot drives a Mini Cooper now. "I just waste a lot of gas, like everybody else," he said.
But Lancelot and many other Americans are taking heart from a surge of interest in plug-in hybrid cars, which began with national media exposure last year and got a boost from President ... [full story]

NASCAR preseason testing continued this week, not at Daytona, where the teams will begin gearing up for Speedweeks in just a few days, but at Las Vegas.
This track is a very important venue for a couple of reasons.
First, it has been reconfigured since last year's race and second, Vegas is much more of a driver's track than Daytona.
Early indications are that the track, which has more banking than the old configuration, is ... [full story]

Get Quick Stats, Fast Facts and Cool New Car Pictures for Over 2,000 Cars, Trucks and SUVs
Interested in buying a new car but don't want to sift through tons of articles or lengthy reviews to get important information about the car of your dreams? NADAguides.com, a leading vehicle information website, today announced the launch of its 'NADAguides New Car Fast Facts' tool -- an easy way for shoppers to access new car pictures, ... [full story]

BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems Supplies Turbochargers for New Audi 1.8-Liter TFSI Engine Family
Audi's recently launched 1.8-liter TFSI engine was developed in close cooperation with BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems. The new engine continues the collaboration that built Audi's award-winning 2.0-liter TFSI engine - the first to combine turbocharging with gasoline direct injection worldwide - and represents the starting point for a completely new sporty and efficient world engine family.
"BorgWarner's innovative turbocharger ... [full story]

SUV Owners Group Releases New Consumer Towing Guide
The shift in consumer preference to SUVs and light trucks for family transportation was driven not just by the desire for better comfort and safety -- since 1970 fuel economy mandates that resulted in downsized vehicles caused 99 percent of cars to lose their ability to tow basic recreational equipment, Sport Utility Vehicle Owners of America (SUVOA) announced today.
"The gutting of car towing capacity should ... [full story]

Ford Motor Co. is sending out early its remodeled 2008 Escape and Escape hybrid. This compact sport utility vehicle was treated to a "major-minor" freshening that smooths and refines, as any good face-lift should. The new Escape looks more like an Explorer and drives more like a car.
FORD ESCAPE - The remodeled 2008 Escape is a handy family vehicle with a back seat raised for visibility and rear seat backs that fold for cargo. CNS ... [full story]

Like everyone else even remotely involved with stock car racing, I have a personal story about Benny Parsons.
Eight years ago, I collaborated with a friend on a book about the drivers NASCAR had picked to be the 50 greatest at the golden anniversary of the sport.
Benny Parsons, who scored 21 wins and captured the 1973 Winston Cup title during his career, was justifiably one of the 50.
But he accepted the honor with ... [full story]